New York state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced that gas stations with non-digital fuel dispensers can apply for half-gallon pricing, since older equipment cannot compute prices in excess of $3.999.

Signs advertising fuel prices must still advertise the price for a full gallon of fuel, but the price displayed on the pump would be half the per-gallon price.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Weights and Measures is now accepting applications for eligible retail stations to sell half-gallon price fuel. Applications are available on the department's Web site or by calling (518) 457-3146.

"The price of fuel is rising faster than our dispensers can calculate in some instances," Hooker said. "In order to keep some of our smaller and seasonal fuel retailers operating during times of $4 fuel, we are temporarily allowing stations to compute prices by using half the price per gallon. We are fortunate to have this provision in our regulations as it gives us the tools to respond very quickly during times of escalating fuel prices and keep these small businesses in business."

Many of the older style mechanical dispensers use numbered wheels to display the gallons and total sale figures. The regulation, signed today by Hooker, allows gas stations to compute prices at one-half the price per gallon, until they have the dispenser upgraded with a replacement computer.